I know, I know! It's been forever! I've been sooo busy with finals and everything so I'm really sorry for the delay. Anyway, I'm gonna try to get back on top of things and get this story done. I hope everyone is enjoying it!

Chapter Four

Search for the Great Fairies

Sheik ran through the lost woods at top speed. He couldn't quite explain the feeling he was experiencing at the moment. He was excited but nervous as well. He had never been to see the Great Fairies before, only heard about them from Link and Saria. What if he couldn't find them? What if they wouldn't help? He had heard many stories from the villagers about them; about their great powers. What if his request angered them? He shook his head. No, surly not. He had also heard stories about their kindness. And they always helped Link when he needed them. No, he shouldn't have a problem with that. But finding them…that was another issue.

Link had told him where they were but only a general area. He wasn't sure if he could find them on his own. He considered waiting till Link found his way through the forest, but something told him he didn't have time. To get from one side of the kingdom to the other took at least a day and if he wanted to speak with all of the Great Fairies he would have to hurry. He turned the corner to the next clearing and paused. In front of him was the large stone door that led to Goron Mountian.

That would save me a lot of time…he thought. He grinned and turned, running straight into the darkened passage. Sheik had never done much business with the Gorons and especially without Link, but he was certain they would help him. He entered the busy city only to be welcomed by three Goron's rolling right towards him. He screamed and dove out of the way only to roll right off the edge and land hard on the second level. He groaned and rolled over to his back.

"So much for a welcome…" He moaned and sat up.

He didn't feel anything break, but his body was screaming with pain. He pushed himself up and looked around. Two smaller Goron's were staring at him and he had to fight away the urge to glare.

"Is Darunia in?" He asked through gritted teeth.

They nodded and pointed to the lowest level where the entrance to the Goron Leader's room was. Sheik nodded and walked crookedly to the stairs. He slowly made his way down to the bottom level and up to the door. Darunia typically kept it open since Ganon was destroyed, so Sheik had no problems being admitted. He walked in and found Darunia sitting on the floor bouncing a baby Goron in his lap. Sheik smiled. Ever since Darunia's son was born that's all he ever focused on. Sheik walked in and placed his hands on his hips.

"Greetings Darunia!" He smiled.

Darunia paused in his play and looked up. He smiled when he saw Sheik and stood.

"Ahh! Sheik! Friend of Brother Link!" He moved forward and slapped Sheik on the back, the force of which brought Sheik to the floor. "What can I do for you?" He boomed.

Sheik coughed and struggled to stand again. "I…I need to get…into the…Crater." He coughed.

Darunia laughed and it echoed through the whole city. "Of course! Anything for the friend of my friend!" He clapped his hands and three Goron's barreled into the room and quickly started to pull the throne from the wall. "The entrance is just through here." He pointed. "But be careful! It's hot!" He laughed and then continued to bounce his son.

Sheik nodded and moved carefully towards the entrance. He could feel the heat getting stronger as he approached and he paused. Link told him that in the future they met here once. Surely if he could take the heat then, he could take it now. He took a deep breath and ran forward into the Crater. The heat hit him like a brick wall and he nearly lost his balance. He knew he wouldn't be able to stay long but he had to find the Great Fairy. He looked around and tried to remember Link's words.

"She was on a cliff. It was hell trying to cross that log. But I did it and there she was!"

Sheik looked around. The only cliff he could find was blocked with large rocks. He groaned. Of course it was blocked; technically Link had not arrived here yet. He had no choice…he was going to have to climb the rocks and hope he could get in that way. The heat was starting to tire him, so he ran as quickly as he could over to the edge of the cliff and carefully surveyed the wobbly log bridge. Link had described this part as being horrible and he wasn't looking forward to experiencing it himself. He took a deep breath to calm him but the hot air only made him choke. After catching his breath, he tapped the bridge carefully with his toe, testing it's stability.

If Link is able to cross this thing seven years from now, then it must be stable now…

Sheik walked slowly over the bridge, trying to remember everything Impa had taught him about balance. Okay, just go slow. Be steady. Okay, you can do this. One foot at a time. That's it. You can do it…Sheik chanted to himself as he crossed and soon he had reached the other side. He smiled at himself for his triumph and, just for the sake of his nerves, he leaned over and looked down. He felt himself get dizzy when he saw the miles of cave wall with a rather uncomfortable looking magma pit at the bottom.

"Good thing I didn't look down before…" He muttered before turning and staring up at the large boulders that barred his way.

The were tall and smooth, with no visible footholds. Sheik was sweating profusely now and his vision was beginning to blur. Can't…quit. He jumped up onto the boulders and struggled against them, trying to push himself up. He managed it, but barely. He looked around him from the top of the rocks for some form of crack he could squeeze into. The cave was sealed tightly at all angles. Sheik collapsed against the rock wall, exhausted and dehydrated. I have to get in…I must. He thought as the room around him began to go dark. I have to…can't give up…I have…to…

Link sighed as he crawled out of the dark tunnel that led to the observatory. He shook his large deku head to shake the skulltula webs off and he groaned. He was sore from jumping across the water, and battling a skulltula or two along the way didn't help. It was only noon and he was already tired. He stalked through the busy town and frowned. What now? So he had this shiny stone…so what? He had no use for a Moon's Tear. Suddenly Tatl flew in front of his face and glared.

"Don't you remember that Deku Scrub who wanted the Moon's Tear? Don't tell me you forgot..." She said, her voice unusually annoying.

Link rolled his eyes but headed back to the center of town just the same. To be honest, he had forgotten. But that was what Navi was always for. Link took care of the fighting while Navi remembered all the details. Tatl was far more bossy that Navi and the small Hylian found himself missing his old friend even more. He silently wondered how Sheik was getting along in the search and made a mental note to apologize to him for missing it.

The center of town was a bustle of activity. No one seemed to care about the giant moon towering over head. He spotted the dog, barking happily at his owners feet, and a chill ran through his spine. He had never been a big fan of dogs, but ones that were intent on his destruction were even worse. He snuck carefully behind the tables and counters until he spotted the yellow deku leaf. Wasn't that where the deku scrub lived? He walked over to it and peered down. Before he had time to react, the scrub jumped out of his flower and smiled warmly down at Link, but before Link could form any sort of response, his smile changed to a smirk.

"I've already sold out of my wares…" he ground out. Then he sighed and frowned. "And the carnival hasn't even begun." He shook his head and looked back down at the scrub struggling to stand. "I'm thinking of closing up shop so I can buy a gift for my wife and return to her in my village! I've heard that a stone called the Moon's Tear shines brighter than any other in the land!"

Link smiled. That was exactly what he wanted to hear. He reached into his bag and pulled out the stone, presenting it to the scrub.

"Ah!" The scrub shouted in excitement, "That stone! You must hand it over to me!" He seemed to pause in thought before he dug in the bottom of the flower and pulled out a piece of rumpled parchment. "In exchange, I'll give you my spot here...Deku Flower included! Yes?" He asked, presenting the title deed.

Link smiled and nodded. He handed over the stone and politely accepted the deed.

"You really helped me out!" The scrub giggled, clutching the stone to his chest. "Now I have the perfect souvenir for my wife! She hasn't set eyes on a jewel or strange, sparkling stone like this in a very long time." He smiled and looked down to Link as he stashed the jewel in his bags. "The Title Deed for this spot should be in high demand among Deku Scrubs, but you already know that." He shrugged it off and disappeared into his flower. A moment later he reemerged with three large bags. "If you don't need it anymore, you can always sell it!" He called as he took to the air and flew out of the city.

Link watched him go and then turned back to the flower; his flower. He smiled and tucked the deed carefully into his pack.

"The door to the clock tower opens only once a year--at midnight on the eve of the carnival." Tatl muttered.

Link turned to her and nodded. He looked up at the closed door and sighed. Nothing to do now except wait….

Hey, I just want to say thanks to all my reviewers: lydru, Crystal Butterfly, MacDuffyGirl, and SHiNiGAMiLENNE. You guys a great and I'm really glad you're enjoying the story! I'll try to get the next chapter up soon okay? Happy Reading!